Downtown Berkeley

Berkeley’s central downtown is a lively and exciting place. According to the Downtown Berkeley Association, the city center is the fastest growing housing market in Berkeley. Living downtown in one of the new mixed use developments, or neighboring single-family homes, allows residents access to everything they need—an entire array of retail shops, services, movie theaters, and culture—within easy walking distance. From its vibrant theater district to its festive Saturday Farmers’ Market, downtown offers a host of activities.

First established in 1876, the downtown didn’t really take off until after the 1906 earthquake. Most of the retail shops along both sides of Shattuck Avenue, named for one of the city’s first developers, were built in the early years of the twentieth century. While the facades have since been updated, the original historic character and small-town flavor can be glimpsed in the architectural details by looking above the entry levels of many of the buildings.

Berkeley is well known as a center of academia and cultural diversity. Its downtown puts the best of small town and big city living at your feet.